Hamas insisted on releasing Yocheved Lifshitz, but Netanyahu refused, says ex-prisoner

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli ex-prisoner Yocheved Lifshitz has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked her release although Hamas had insisted on releasing her. In a recent interview with Ynet, Lifshitz revealed that Hamas was prepared to release her and fellow hostage Nurit Cooper for humanitarian reasons, but Israel refused.

Lifshitz recounted her experience during imprisonment, explaining that she fell severely ill, suffering from diarrhea and vomiting for four days. Despite receiving medical treatment from a doctor in Gaza, her condition did not improve.

Lifshitz said her release was rejected by Israeli authorities. “Bibi didn’t want us,” she said, referring to Netanyahu. According to Lifshitz, her daughter Sharon and grandson Daniel traveled to Qatar to push for their release. Hamas expressed willingness to free both women, but Israel refused. Lifshitz added, “Hamas threatened to leave us at the border.”

After 17 days in imprisonment, Lifshitz was finally released. Hamas had issued a statement on October 21, confirming their intentions to release both Lifshitz and Cooper, citing “compelling humanitarian reasons” and noting that they sought nothing in return. The statement read: “We informed our Qatari brothers yesterday evening that we would release the two captives,” and added that the Israeli government refused to receive them.

In response, Netanyahu denied Hamas’ statement, labeling it as “false propaganda.”

Following her release, Lifshitz praised the treatment she received during her imprisonment, stating that the resistance fighters were “very friendly,” providing medicine and keeping the place very clean. She also mentioned that one of the prisoners had an injury from an accident, which Hamas treated.

Israeli broadcaster Kan later reported that Israeli propaganda officials called it a “mistake” to allow Lifshitz to speak to the media live, indicating that her positive comments about Hamas were not in line with the official narrative.

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